Temperature control device



Dem 1935- c. P. RANDOLPH ET AL 2,024,876

TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE Filed Dec. 19, 1931 Erm /Lac g5 25 Fig.5.

45 g2 GI 43 Iiivenfirs: Charles P Randolph, Samuel Eskin b MMM Their Attorneg.

Patented Dec. 17,, i935 T @FFWE TEMPERATURE (C(DNlllltiDL DEWCE Application December 19, 1931, Serial No. 582,138

@laims.

Our invention relates to temperature control devices, more particularly to devices for controlling an electric circuit in accordance with temperature changes, and has for its object the pro- 5 vision of an improved device of this character.

In general our invention relates to temperature control devices such as described and claimed in U. S. Reissue Patent to A. Lewerenz No. 16,654, dated June 14, 1927, and more specifically relates to improvements in the temperature control device described and claimed in U. S. Patent to A. H. Simmons No. 1,743,073, dated January 7, 1930. The temperature control devices disclosed in these patents comprise a bimetallic thermostat bar fixed at one end and having its other end movable in response to changes in temperature. These movements of the bimetallic bar are utilized to actuate a suitable control member, such as a switch operating arm.

0 The above temperature control devices further comprise adjusting means whereby the temperature setting of the bimetallic bar and hence of the control device can be changed as desired so that the control device will maintain a predetermined temperature. This adjusting means usu= ally includes an adjusting screw cooperating with the bimetallic bar so as to change its position and hence its temperature setting.

The control devices, of course, will maintain only those temperatures which fall within the maximum and minimum temperature range of the bimetallic thermostat bar. This range to a large extent depends upon the elastic strength of the bar, and while the temperature range of the control devices of the above-mentioned patents is sufiiciently large to meet the requirements of many applications, it is desirable in some instances that the range be materially increased. This cannot always be done in these arrangements without danger of subjecting the bimetallic bar to dangerously high stresses. This is because the bimetallic bar has an initial curvature such that it will take a position corresponding to the minimum temperature of the temperature range of the control device. In other words, the initial curvature of the bar is such that with this curvature it will maintain the minimum temperature that the device will maintain. Consequently,

w the maximum temperature which the device will maintain is determined by the extent that the bar can be adjusted from its initial position without in roducing dangerously high stresses in the bar.

It is one of the objects of our invention to pro- 55 vide a temperature control device of the above character wherein the temperature range of the device is-materially increased.

In carrying out our invention, we provide a bimetallic thermostat bar having an initial curvature corresponding to some temperature inter- 5, mediate a predetermined maximum and minimum temperature range, which is the range that it is desired the control device will operate through. Thus, for example, the bar may have such an' initial curvature that it will maintain a temperm ature midway between high and low limits of this temperature range. Suitable control means are provided for changing the position of the bar in one direction from its initial position to increase the temperature setting of the bar and in the op- 15 posite direction to decrease the temperature setting of the bar. In this manner the maximum movement of the bar from its initial position is materially reduced with the result that the stresses set up in the bar likewise are decreased. In other 20 words, for a given bimetallic bar the temperature range or" the bar can be materially increased without increasing the stresses set up in the bar, or for a given bar and for a given temperature range the mechanical stresses set up in the bar are mag5 ten'ally reduced.

For a more complete understanding of our in-- vention reference should be had to the accom panying drawing in which: Fig. l is a vertical sectional view or" an electric flatiron provided with so a temperature control device embodying our in vention and illustrating the control device in position to maintain the heating circuit of the iron closed; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. l, but illustrating the control device in posi tion to open the heating circuit of the iron;

3 is a plan view of a control arm used in the tem perature control device of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. i

is an elevation illustrating certain switch contacts used in the control device of Figs. 1 and 2, parts 40 being shown in section so as to illustrate certain structural details; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the principles of operation of certain control devices heretofore generally used; and Fig.

6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the prin- 4.5 ciple of operation of. the control device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawing, we have shown our invention in one form as applied to an electric flatiron comprising a heavy body member 59 it! made of a suitable heat conducting material, such as cast iron, within which is cast a suitable electric heating unit ll. As shown, the upper portion of the body member to is enclosed by a cover it resting on a shoulder liia provided for so it on the body member W. The cover i2 is secured to the body member M3 by means of screw members (not shown). Suitably attached to the cover i2 is a handle 83 whereby the iron may be operated.

In the upper portion of the body member i0 is an elongated recess i i in which is secured a temperature control device for thaheating unit ii, the temperature control device being arranged in accordance with my invention.

This temperature control device comprises a suitable thermostat, shown as a bimetallic bar l5 made of two strips of metal having different coeflicients of expansion, such as invar and nickel-chromium steel, these two strips being securely welded or brazed together lengthwise. The thermostat bar it is rigidly secured at one end to the body member 80 by means of a clamping screw it passing through a suitable aperture provided for it in the bar and received in engagement in the sole plate H). The opposite end of the bar is free to move laterally in response to changes in temperature.

It will be observed that the thermostat it is secured within the lower portion of the recess Mi adjacent the working surface of the iron so that heat is transmitted directly to the thermostat from the Working surface.

The movable end of the thermostat bar It: is provided with a knife-edge bearing $17 that is received in a bearing seat provided for it in one arm of an inverted U-shapedresilient member or spring [18. The other arm of this spring member I8 is seated on a fixed knife-edge bearing 20. The knife-edge bearing 20, as shown, projects into the recess l4 and is secured to the base I0 of the iron by means of a screw l9. It will be understood that the position of the bear- "ing member 20 relative to the U-shaped spring member l8 can readily be adjusted by means of the screw member 89. As shown, the knife-edge bearing seats provided in the U-shaped spring member may be arranged by striking V-shaped indentations in the end portions of the two arms of the spring member.

As was pointed out above, the thermostat bar of the above mentioned Simmons patent and like arrangements is given an initial free curvature such that it will take a position corresponding to the minimum temperature of the temperature range of the device. In other words, the initial curvature of the bar is such that with this curvature it will maintain the minimum temperature of the temperature range of the device. In our temperature control device, we give the bimetallic bar I 5 an initial free curvature such that with this curvature the bar will operate to maintain a.temperature which is intermediate the maximum and minimum temperatures which it is intended the control device shall maintain. For example, if it be assumed that the temperature range of the control device is to be 200 F. operating from a minimum temperature of 300 F. to a maximum temperature of 500 F., the bimetallic bar will be given such an initial free curvature that it will operate to maintain a temperature of say 400 F. which, as

will be observed, is midway between the maxiacaaeve setting of the device, the curvature of the bar l5 will be increased from its initial position, whereas to decrease the temperature setting of the device the curvature of the bar it will be decreased. It will be understood that by initial 5 free curvature of the bar is meant that curvature which the bar takes at substantially room temperature and when it is uninfiuenced by the action of the spring l8.

A temperature adjustment rod or shaft 2! is 1 arranged to move the thermostat bar l5 from its initial position to increase the temperature setting of the control device. This rod as shown, is passed through a suitable aperture provided for it in the bar and has its lower end threaded 1 in the body member Ill. The adjusting rod has a shoulder 22 rigidly secured thereto or formed integrally therewith and bearing on a washerlike member 23 which in turn bears on the upper surface of the thermostat bar. As shown, the 2 point of engagement of the member 23 with the bar it is somewhat less than one-half the distance from the point of support to the movable end of the bar. To increase the setting of the bar, as will be pointed outin more detail hereinafter, the rod 2i is turned to move the washer 23 and hence the bar downwardly. The upper end of the rod 2i protrudes from the cover 62 of the iron and is provided with a handle 24 whereby the rod may be turned to raise or lower 3 it as desired.

In order to move the bar It in the opposite direction in order to decrease the temperature setting of the device, a spring 25 is provided beneath the bar and arranged to apply an elastic 3 force to it to move it upwardly. This spring 25 is formed as a helical compression spring and as shown is arranged in a recess 26 provided for it in the base l0 around the rod 2|. The spring is arranged in the recess to surround the rod 2i and has its lower end bearing on the bottom wall of the recess and itsupper end bearing on an inverted cup-shaped spring washer 21. This washer is provided with knife-edge pivots 28 received in bearings 29 provided for them in the bar l5. As will be pointed out in more detail hereinafter, the spring serves to move the bar upwardly when the abutment 22 is withdrawn by the rod 2| to decrease the temperature setting of the device.

The bearing 20 lies in the plane of movement of the thermostat bar If: and the arrangement of the thermostat bar is such that at a predetermined temperature the knife-edge bearing H on the bar will lie on a line passing through the bearing 20 and the efiective point of support of the thermostat. This position of the thermostat is known as the neutral position of the bar. All useful distortion of the thermostat bar takes place in that portion between the abutment 22 on the rod 2i and the movable end, and consequently, from the standpoint of distortion, the abutment 22 constitutes the efiective point of support of the thermostat. The neutral position is therefore defined by a line passing through the knife-edge 6 bearing 20 and the point of engagement between the thermostat and the abutment 22.

As has been explained in detail in the abovementioned Simmons patent, the U-shaped spring member l8 serves to apply an elastic force to the movable end of the thermostat so as to move it quickly from one position to another. The arms of the spring member i8 tend to separate by reason of the resiliency of the member, they being normally compressed somewhat between 7 accurate the bearings ill and till, whereby the member er;-

erts a force on the movable end of the thermo stat, this force tending to hold the movable end on one side or the other of the neutral position.

Obviously, in the neutral position the entire force exerted by the spring member it is directed lengthwise of the thermostat. When the end of the thermostat moves from the neutral position in either direction, a lateral component oi this spring pressure is produced tending to force the thermostat from its neutral position. This lateral component increases as the thermostat moves away from the neutral position.

The switch which is controlled by the thermostat bar is to control the heating circuit of. the iron is arranged substantimly in accordance with that described and claimed in the U. S. Patent to F. H. McCormick, No. 1,971,395, dated Uctober 16, 193 As shown, the switch comprises a substantiafiy rigid and mechanically strong switch arm 39 which is pivotally secured to the middle portion or" the iJ-shaped spring member 68 wherehy limited freedom of movement is allowed between these members. As shown, the switch arm 39 carries a suitable movable contact 35 at one end and is pivotally secured at its opposite end to the mid portion of the U=sha3ierl member. The switch arm SE3 at its connected end has depending therefrom a lug or car 32 which is received in a suitable apertiue provided for it in. the middle portion of the snring mettl her it so that it projects through the sor ing member to the under side thereof. The portion projecting under the spring member is provided with an aperture through which a suitable re= pin 33 is passed and secured to prevent vertical displacement of the switch al switch arm is further provided with a sec= ond depending lug 3 th s lug passe 4 through an aperture provided for it the for ward end of the middle portion of the U-shaned spring member and having on its side a locking abutment The portion of lug 3 loetween the under surface or the spring member and the abutment 35 is somewhat longer than the lug 32 whereby some pivotal movement tild tween the switch arm and the spring member permitted. The contact so is normally biased towar the spring member by means of a tension spring which has one end secured to the lug 35 and extends diagonally across spring member to the opposite arrn'where it secured by means of a lug 3i secured to or pro vided on the arm.

The movable contact 3i coonerates with suit= able rivet-lilac fixed contacts 0'3 winch are rigidly secured to a suitable supporting member 6i ar-- ranged on the base it) of the iron. The contacts are electrically insulated from sunport by means of mica sheets 12 arranged on opposite sides of the support il so as to be sandwiched ice= tween the support and the opposite ends of the contacts (it. Suitable terminals G la are in eiec= trical contact with the contacts 1'3 and are se= cured thereby. if desired, the fixed contacts may consist in button-lilac members (not shown) welded to the terminals 32s, the% members in turn being secured as by 'rneans of rivets with a support attached to the base of the iron.

it will he understood that the terminals 622a will be connected in the heating circuit of the iron in or in other words, in the circuit of the heating element l i so that when they are bridged by the contact fit the heating circuit will he comiii) pleted, whereas when the bridging contact 36 is moved away the heating circuit will be opened.

The bridging contact 3!], as shown, is secured to the contact arm 38 by means of an eyelet G3, a suitable sheet 1 3 of insulating material, such as mica, being interposed between the arm 3i) and the bridging contact member. Arranged on the other side of the contact arm is a similar sheet G la of insulating material and. on this is placed a suitable sheet or metallic material 65. portions Sic of the bridging contact member, shown (Figs. 3 and 1), are bent upwardly and The end about the mica insulating sheet, the contactrneinber 3t and the metallic sheet 35 so as to clamp these members together and to secure the bridging contact member to the switch or The bridging contact member 35 may be formed of any suitable electrically conducting material, and'rather than being formed or" a single material as shown in the drawing, it may be formed by co ting a suitable supporting body with a good electrically conducting material. "for example, the movable contact may comprise a bodyineniher of bronze provided with a contacting surface formed or" silver.

in the operation of the control device, the Pond contact 3i will be held in engagement with the fixed contacts it) to maintain the heating circuit closed, as shown in Fig. l, long as the temperature of the iron is below predeten maximum value. Under this condition,

oi the iron increases the distortion of the th rrnw stat tends to move its free end upward. This motion is resisted by the resilient member 38 until the occurrence of a predetermined maximum temperature, whereupon the thermostat has sufii cient force to overcome the spring 3 it to move upward. As the thermo upward the opposing force exerted by the spring [18 decreasingly resists its motion, with -e result that the thermostat rapidly accelerates and moves a high speed through the n utral posi-- tion to the opnosite side thereof, where is urged rapidly upward by the increasing lateral component o iorce applied by the spring As the thermostat is rapidly mov ng ugh its neutral gosition, the spring me" or iv engages the con act arm to move it upwardly and thus onen switch with a snap action.

snap action is further assured by the "hexiiole co ection between the switch operat' "lg it moves St and e resilient spring member 98. Thus, it will he observed that the initial slow retarded a s0 and the spring before the arm is engaged by the snring to open the switch contacts. in other words, the loose connection between the switch 38 and the spring member 58 is such that the the "Dimetallic will have an opportunity to accelerate to a th gh speed before the switch arm is engaged to open the contacts.

After the heating circuit of the iron has been opened and the temperature of the plate l6 and consequently or the thermostat begins to decrease. the thermostat tends to move back to its closed circuit gosition, its movement in this direction be= ing opposed by the force exerted by the spring member )8 until such time as the spring member is overcome at some predetermined minimum temperature when the thermostat will operate to close the switch. The loose connection between the bar 3@ and the bimetallic bar allows the bar 1 aoaaero i to move somewhat after the switch has been closed thereby eliminating the possibility of undue stresses being set up in the bar due to excessive distortion at low temperatures.

In the above-described manner the heating circuit is controlled so as to maintain a predetermined temperature which is a mean between the maximum and minimum temperatures for which the device is set to operate.

As has been pointed out, the temperature set= ting of the control device is adjusted by means of the adjustment rod ZG'and the compression. spring To increase the temperature setting of the device the rod 25 is moved downwardly to change the curvature of the bimetallic 55, whereas to decreasethis setting the rod is screwed upwardly so as to allow the biz etallic bar to be urged in the upward direction the compression spring 25.

The operation of my temperature adjustment means may be more readily understood by reference to Figs. 5 and 6. In these figures, the'bimetallic bar iii has been shown diagrammatically, and the U-shaped spring memb r life has been eliminated in order to facilitate the explanation of the operation of the device. Fig. 5 illustrates the principle of operation of the adjustment of the thermostat oi the above-mentioned Simmons and Lewerenz patents, while Fig. 6 illustrates the principle of operation of the adjustment of the device arranged in accordance with my invention.

Referring more specifically to Fig. 5, let it be assumed that it is desired to operate the thermostat through a range of 200 F., the minimum tern perature of the range being 300 F. and the maximum temperature being 500 F. In Figs. 5 and 6 it is assumed that the thermostat bar is secured at the point 0 and that the adjusting screw 2i engages the bar at the point P. In the case of the thermostat shown in Fig. 5 the bar is given an initial free curvature CA from which position it will operate through the neutral position OX at 300 F., the minimum temperature of the above temperature range, and thus operate the switch. In order to adjust the bar from its 300 F. setting to the maximum temperature setting of 500 F. it is necessary to change the position of the thermostat bar from CA to a position OB by means of the adjusting screw which applies its force at the point P. In making this adjustment the bimetallic bar will be deflected through a distance d at the point P. This deflection of the bar may cause considerable mechanical stresses in the bar on its upper side at the point 0 where it is secured to the base of the iron.

As has been pointed out in a previous portion of this specification, in order to materially reduce these stresses, we give the bimetallic bar an initial free, curvature corresponding to some temperature intermediate the maximum and minimum temperature of the selected temperature range which it is intended the control device shall operate through. As pointed'out previously, the initial free curvature of the bar It; is that curvature which the bar has at substantially room temperature and when the bar is uninfluenced by the compression spring it, as shown in Fig. 6. Assuming, as before, that it is desired to operate the bar through a temperature range of 300 F. as a minimum temperature to 500 F. as a maximum temperature, the bar will be given a setting corresponding'to some intermediate temperature, such as 400 F., see Fig. 6. In this case the bimetallic bar is designed to have an initial free curvature OC substantially at the the same as has the bimetallic bar of 5, but instead of operating at the minimum tempera-=- ture of 300 F. the bar is designed to operate at say 400 F. which is substantially midway of the minimum and maximum temperatures of the preselected temperature range.

In order to obtain the maximum temperature setting in the case shown in Fig. 6, the bimetallic bar is moved from the position 06 to the position OD by means of the adjusting screw applying a force at the point P. adjustment produces a deflection of point P resulting in only one-halr of the stress on the upper side oi the thermostatic metal, as is set up in the bar of Fig. 5 when it is adjusted to its maximum temperature position. In order to obtain the minimum temperature setting in our device the adjusting screw is moved outwardly from the sole plate allowing the corn pression spring 25 to move the bimetallic bar to the position GE, the spring applying a pressure to the bar in the upwarddirection at the point This produces a deflection of the bar at the point P also equal to This, it will be observed, produces a stress on the reverse side, i. e. the under side, of the bimetallic bar having a magnitude proportional to the deflection which, as before, is equal to one-half of the maximum stress set up in adjusting the bar of Fig. 5 from its minimum to its maximum temperature setting.

Thus, with the temperature control device arranged in accordance with our invention, the maximum stress set up in the bimetallic bar in adjusting it from its initial position to its minimum or maximum temperature setting, is only mum temperatures at which the circuit is opened and closed for any temperature setting of the control device is adjusted by means of the fixed bearing member 20. To increase this range the fixed bearing 20 is moved inwardly toward the spring member it so as to increase its tension, whereas to decrease this range the bearing 20 is moved outwardly to decrease the tension in the spring member.

Although any suitable heating unit may be used in the iron, we prefer to use a heating unit of the type described and claimed in Patent No. 1,367,341, granted to C. C. Abbott, and dated February 1, 1921. This unit comprises an outer metallic sheath 50 suitably'shaped and in which a helical heating resistor bl is embedded in a suitable powdered heat refractory insulating material 52, such as magnesium oxide. The heating unit is shaped roughly like a horse-shoe.

aoaasvo of our invention, it will he understood, or course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may he made, and we, there= fore, contemplate icy the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim as new and deshe to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A temperature control device comprising a thermostatic member arranged so that its posi= tion is changed in a predetermined plane in re-- sponse to changes in temperature, said member arranged to operate through a predetermined temperature range, the temperature or operation depending upon the curvature oi said member, and said member when uninfiuenced by external forces and when at substantiak ly room temperature having an initial free curvature in said plane of movement such that with said curvature it will operate when heated at a temperature intermediate the markmum and minimum temperatures of said range, means torapplying a force to one side of said thermostatic member to change the initial curvature thereof in said plane of movement so as to vary the temperature setting oi said de vice and means for applying a force to the opposite side of said thermostat member to change its curvature in the opposite direction in said plane of movement to vary the temperature setting of said device in the reverse order 2. A temperature control device comprising a bimetallic thermostat bar having one end fixed and its other end free to move in a predetermined plane in response to changes in temperature, said bar when uninfiuenced by enternd forces and when at substantially room temperature having an initial free curvature from which it will operate when heated at a predetermined temperature, an elastic member hear ng on the movable end of said bar so as to cause it toncove uulcldy from one position to another in said plane, means for applying a force on one side or" said bar to move it in one direction in said plane oi? movement so as to increase the curvature of said bar to increase the temperature at which said bar operates and spring means applying a iorce to the opposite side oi said bar so as to decrease its curvature in said plane oi movement to decrease the temperature at which said bar operates when said first iorce applying means is operated to release said bar.

3. A temperature control device comprising a thermostat bar movable in a predetermined plane, an elastic member acting on said bar so as to tend to move said bar from a neutral position in one or the other oi two directions in said plane depending upon the position oi said bar to respect to said neutral position, said bar when un= influenced by said elastic member and when sub= stantially at room temperature having an initial rree cu'vatme so that it assumes a position on one side of said neutral position when enced by said elastic member and from which it operates when heated at a temperature interme= diate the maum and mium. temperatures of a predeterimend temperature range, an ad= lusting member bearing on one side of said bar arranged to move said her in said plane of move= ment to increase the curvature oi said bar away irom said neutral position and thereby increase the tempera at which said her operates and a spring hearing on the other side of said bar arranged to move said in said plane or move-- ment toward said neutral position to decrease the curvature oi said bar and thereby decrease the temperature at which said loar operates, said spring having sutdcient tension to cause said bar to assume a predetermined position when said adjusting member releases said from which position said ha: will operate substantially the minimum temperature or said temperature range.

4. A temperature control device for an electric flatiron provided with an electric heating circuit, comprising a bimetallic thermostat bar having one end movable in a predetermined plane in response to changes in temperature of said iron, a U-shaped spring mernher having one arm hear= ing on a pivot and its udder arm bearing on the movable end or said bar, a contact member for controlling said heating circuit mounted on the middle portion of mid U iaped spring member so as to be actuated tl reby, said bimetallic har when uninduenced by spring member and substantially at room perature having an infree curvature which cu vature it operates heated said plane of movement to open said switch a predeterm ned temper ture, an adjustable member bearing on one side or said bar and arra to apply a force to said bar to move the bar in one direction in said plane of movement to increase the curvature of said bar, whereby the setting of said bar is changed to maintain a higher temperature in said iron, and a coiled compression spring bearing on the opposite side oi said her and applying a force to said bar to move said bar in the opposite di= rection in said plane of movement against said adjusting member so as to decrease its curvature, whereby its setting is changed to maintain a. lower temperature in said iron, the position of said bar being determined by the position 0f said adjustable memb err 55. A tem era ure control device comprising a fixed support, a thermostat bar rigidly secured at one end to said support and its other end free to move laterally in a predetermined plane or movement in response to changes in tempera= ture, an elastic member bearing on said free end so as to said bar to move quick y from one position to another, said thermostat when uuin= fluenced by said elastic member and when at substantialiy room temperature having an initial free curvature in said plane oi movement such that with said curvature it will operate when at a temperature intermediate the maximum and temperatures of a predetermined te peratin e range, a strait passing through an aperture provided for it in said thermostat bar screw threaded into said support and having an abutment on the upper side or said bar so that the curvature oi said bar can be ncreased toward said support by turning said bar inwardly or said support and thereby increase the temperature setting oi said thermostat and a, coiled spring on said support beneath said her surrounding said shaft and arranged to apply a force to the under side oi said bar to decrease its curvature up= wardly away from said support and thereby decrease the temperatwe setting oi said thermo= stat.

CHARLEQ P. ESKIN,

ill 

